Inclosure-frame for elevator-hatchways.



H. ROWNTREE.

INCLOSURE FRAME FOR ELEVATOR HATCHWAYS APPLICATION FILED MAR 8, 1912.

1,180,320. Patented A r, 25,1916.

pointed out in the HAROLD ROWNTREE,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL PNEUMATIC COMPANY, OFCHICAGQILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

. INCLOSUREFMME FOR ELEVATOR-HATCHWAYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

,Qgplication filed March 8,1912. Serial No. 682,524.

qr To'all whom. it may co'ncemtt;

Be it known that I. HX-aonn Rowx'rmsn, a citizen of the IInited States,residing at Chicago, county of Cook. State of Illinois, have made acertain new and useful Invention in Inclosure-Frames for ElevatorHatchways, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to inclosure frames for elevator hatchways.

The object of the invention is to simplify and improve the constructionof elevator hatchway framing to render the same. more economical tomanufacture. and to increase the strength and rigidity of frame work ofthis class and nature.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The'invention consists substantially in the construction. combination.location. and relative arrangement of parts. all as will be more fullyhereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings. andfinally appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings. and to the various views andreference signs appearing thereon. l igure 1 is a view in frontelevation of an elevator hatch framing embodying the principles of myinven tion. Fig. is a horizontal view in section on the line 2. 2.Fig. 1. looking in the direc tion of the arrows. Fig. is a verticalsection on the line 3}. I). Fig. 1. looking in the direction of thearrows.

The same part is designated by the same reference sign wherever itoccurs througlr out the several views.

In carrying out my invention I propose to employ sheet metal posts andto arrange the same vertically on opposite sides of the cle vatorhatchway door. I also propose to em ploy longitiulinally extending sheetmetal members designed to be arranged above the doorway of the hatch.and the vertical posts. the panel member over the doorway and suitablecorner pieces. all made of sheet metal. suitably stamped out. andrigidly secured together at their abutting edges by welding orotherwise. 3y forming these various parts of to produce an exceedinglyrable frame work which is very simply constructed, easily put togetherand economical to manufacture. I am also enabled to impart to the framework any desired panelsheet metal I am enabled strong and tining,ornamentation or configuration, which may be stamped into the sheetmetal members at the time they are stamped out, thereby presenting orproviding an exceedingly ornamental appearance to the entire framework.

In the drawings A, represents vertical posts formed of sheet metal,preferably stamped out into U-shape in cross section. These posts arerespectively arranged on 0pposite sides of the hatch doorway.Immediately ahove the hatch doorway is a longitudinally extending sheetmetal member G. At their adjacent ends the vertical posts A, and thehorizontal members G. are securely fastened together by means of panelmembers or corner pieces B. A convenient and economical method ofconnecting together the horizontal and vertical members :A, G, and thecorner panels B, is to weld them together at their meeting edges. Saidparts being made of sheet metal this is easily and readily accomplished.In order to extend the framing from the upper edge of the door upwardlyto the ceiling I; of the floor above. I propose to employ similarvertically arranged sheet metal posts C, and at the top a similarhorizontal member E. that is. similar; respectively to the verticalposts A, and to the horizontal members G. and to secure these members.(I, I the vertical posts C. and the horizontal members F. together bysimilar corner posts C. being also welded or otherwise secured to thecorner panels B. All of these members A. (i. C. E, and the corner piecesor panels I). I). may be suitably skunped out of sheet metal. They mayalso be paneled or given any desired ornamentation in the stampingprocess. And they may be similarly secured rigidly together by weldingthem all into one integral rigid frame work. In order to fill up thespace between the vertical members and the horizo tal members l (1. apanel F. may be employed which may also be of sheet metal andgiyen anydesired ornamentation or paneling, and also rigidly otherwise, to theedges of the adjacent members C, G. I).

- A construction of frame work for elevator hatchways embodying theprinciples of my invention may be employed in connection. wrath-anysuitable form of arrangement of doors. In the particular formSh0Wn;.tlle

panels I), said vertical secured at its edges, by welding or d oors areindicated at J, and are of the folding leaf or panel form of doors, twopanels being arranged on each side of the vertical center line of thehatch doorway and these folding leaves or panel members fold or swingtoward the/side posts or members A,

in opening. It is to be understood, however, that my invention is not tobe limited or restricted in respect to the particular form orarrangement of doors employed.

In practice I prefer to form the horizontal members G. directly abovethe doorways to form boxes or inclosures within which may beconveniently located .the' operating mechanism by which the hatchwaydoors J, may be operated or moved or otherwise actuated to their open orclosed positions. Where such operating mechanism is employed I proposeto use a shield or cover plate H, for the rear of the box member (l, asshown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 3; This hinged member oi coverplate H, forms a door which covers and incloses the actuatinglllQClltllllSlll within the U-shaped panel member (i. I

It will. be observed that the inner surface of the various panels andmembers are arranged in vertical line with each other. (see particularlyFig. 3.) This ali ed inner sur face should also be in vertica line withthe inner surface of the doors. when the latter are closed. therebypresenting a si'nooth. unobstructed inner wall or surface for thehatchwav in which travels the elevator car. indicated at K.. Thisvertically flush or alined inner surface of the panels and doors. whenthe latter are closed, should also be in vertical line with the endsurface or dge ot the flooring above and below each riding. r

as clearly indicated in the drawing. This arrangement affords asmoothsurfaoe'within which the elevated car moves therebv avoidingshoulders or ledges which are dangerous to passengers, "and avoids theliability of accidents or injury to passengers bcing caughtbetween theedge of the floor (if the car and a projecting edge of the hatchwayframing, door supporting apparatus. or the floor of the landings.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide anexceedingly simple elevator' hatchway frame work which S capable ofbeing economically constructed. and packed for shipment, readilyassembled. and erected, and when erected, which is excecdingly: rigidand strong, while at the same time being capable of being given anysuitable or desired ornamentation. In prac tice the various members orparts may be produced in quantity, and of any length, and then cut offto the desired length to accommodate the measurements of any particularflooring, or landing space. This very materially reduces the cost ofconstruction and erection of the framework. The corner bracket B, mayalso be made up and carried in stock,

A construction embodying the principles and features above described isnot only simple and economically manufactured but may be packed in knockdown condition and transported and shipped at small expense and quicklyand easily erected at the point where required.

\l'hile I have described my invention as en'iploying sheet metal partsfor the tram ing it is to be understood that in its broadest scope, asdefined in the claims-my invention is not to be limited or restricted tothe use of sheet metal parts, as any other form of metal or weldablematerial may be employed. The essential feature is the production of aframework made. up of different component parts which a re. weldedtogether to form one rigid structur thereby avoiding the objections ofthe method heretofore employed of securing the coml'ionent partstogether by screw which are liable to work loose and have to becontinually tightened up. This advantage applies whether the frame workforms a complete closure, or is made up of grille or open work patterns..\lorcover. the various component parts of lllc complete fl'ullnn'ulkmay he manufactured in standard sections r lengths aiid cut to thedesired length for u.-e in any particular situation. and welded togetherfor erection. whether made of sheet metal or any other form of metal 4H1neldable material: Nor is it llll'( l!l1 for all the componrnt parts ofany particular fr-anu-work to e of the sumo hind of mall-rial. Forinstance. some of thr parts may be sheet metal. while others arr of,rust. or other form of metal. shown and descrila-d may be entirely dispcnsod with. Thus. tlrcorner plates ll. I). may be omitted and thevcrtiral parts A and made in one pier'r to ovtend throughout th c entireheight required. and Suitubljt ornamented as may hodesired. andsimilarly. the horizontal sections I), I and (i. may be roml'iined intoone or more parts, if desired. or the parts Ii. (I I may be madeintegral with the parts or with the parts. li. F. (i. as may be desired.()ther variations and changes in details might readily occur to personsskilled in the artand till fall within the spirit and scope of myinvention. I do not desire. therefore,

to be limited (unrestricted to the'exact details shown and described.

Having now set forth the objects and nature of mv invention and aconstruction embodying the principles thereof what I claim as new anduseful and of my own invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United tates. is

1. In an inclosure frame for hatchways having doorways therein. and inAgain. some of the parts elevator eon-.binatiee ith the ceiling andfloor above and below the dmrway, posts of sheet metal stampingsarranged vertically on opposite sides of the doorway, horizontallyarranged members of sheet metal stampings positioned ore the doorway andbetween the same and the ceiling, and corner plates of sheet metalstanipings forming connections between adjacent ends of said verticalposts and harizimtal members. said posts, horizmiaal :nmnhera and platesunited and having their inner surfaces lying in the same ertiral planewith each other and with inner edge of the floor and ceiling U nar andabove the doorway.

:2. In an inelwnre frame for elevator hatehways having a doorwaytherein, and

in combination with thr ceiling; and floor above and below the doorway,vertically an ranged poets of sheet metal stampings on opposite sides ofthe doorway, a horizonl'eing integrally horizontal members, said posts.hor! 'ntal members wl plates being integrally ited and having? tier-2*inner snrlares in tl. mine vertical plane alt-h each other ill'ltj. withthe inner edge of the floor and ceiling be low and above the doorway.

ln testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of thesubscribing witnesses. n. this 20 day of l ehrnary, I). 1912.

HA ROLL) Hi )WNTR Witnesses:

WV. HOWELL,

C. H. Jonneos, L. M. Smnnns.

